Inking mechanism for type-writing machines



R. W. UHLIG. INKING MECHANISM FOR TYPE- WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED 0121, 1900. RENEWED DEC. 30. 1902. 110 MODEL INVENTORY By Attorneys,

7 PATENTED APR. 21. 1903.

UNIT D ST TES ATENT O FF CE.

RICHARD W; UHLIG, OF RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY C.- ADAMS, OF HACKENSAOK', NEW JERSEY.

'INKING MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,230, dated, April 21, 1903.

Original application filed March 29, 1900, Serial No, 10,614. Divided and this application filed November 21, 1 900. Renewed December 30, 1902. Serial No. 137,208. (No model.)

To all. whom, it may concern: \/Be it known that l, RICHARD W. UHLIG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ruth- .erford,inthe countyof Bergen andState of New 5 Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inking Mechanism for Type- Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a division of my appli- 1o cation, SerialNo. 10,614, filed March 29, 1900,

for improvements in type-writing machines.

This'inventiou relates to inking mechanisms for type-writing machines, and aims to provide certainimprovements therein.

My invention is especially applicable to that class of inking mechanisms in which a fiexi ble disk is interposed between the platen and the types at the printing-point.

In the preferred form of, my invention 1 2o provideaflexible memberinterposed between the paper and Wpe at the printing-point, ,which member is preferably, although not essentially, initially charged with ink. I provide means for-inking this flexible member :5 intermittently or'atstated intervals, prefer- .ably upon each movement of a type to the printing-point. The inking of the ribbon may, however, be continuously effected, if desired. In the construction shown the ribbon is mounted upon the type-wheel frame of a type-writing machine in which a rotating type wheel is employed, and means are provided for rotating the ribbon at each forward movement-of the-frame to a sufficient extent to in- 3 5 terpose a fresh surface between the type-wheel and paper. Aninking-pad or other suitable device is preferably fixed to a stationary part of the type-writer frame in the path of movement of a portion of the ribbon, so that at 40 eachmovement of the type-wheel frame the ribbon is brought-into contact with the ink-' ing-pad and is thereby recharged with ink.

Suitable means are preferably provided for pressing the ribbon against the ink-pad at' each movement of the frame. I also prefer to provide'means whereby the ribbon may be "relieved of any excess or surplus of ink which may be taken up by it, so that it may not become overcharged, and thus blur the impression.

-In the accompanyingdrawings, in which I have illustrated my invention as applied to a type-writing machine of the type-wheel class, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of so much of a type-writing machine as is necessary. to illustrate my invention, the flexible ribbon or disk and its mounting means being shown in vertical section; Fig. 2 is .a sectional side elevation showing the type-wheel inthe act of printing. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of the ribbon and its mounting means. Fig. 4 is a plan, and Fig.

5 isa. detail section of the clamp for the ribbon. Referring to the drawings, let A indicate the top plate of a type-writing machine; B, tlie'type-wheel; 0, its shaft; D, its swinging or tilting frame carrying the shaft 0; E, the

platen; F, a stationary scale-plate, and G, the flexible disk or ribbon. The type-wheel B may be of any suitable construction and is shown as mounted upon theshaft O, which is adapted to be rotated through a suitable .pinion a by any mechanismcapable of bringing the appropriate type to the printing-point upon depression of thecorresponding key 0f the machine. The scale-plate F is-fiX'ed to the topplate A and is formed in twb parts, as shown in Figs. 3 and 1, to permit the typewheel to strike the platen.

As shown, the ribbon G is of circular form and is interposed between the type-wheel and platen and moves with the former during the printing movement of the swinging. frame D, although thisis not essential. ,It

is preferable, however, in that after each printing movement the ribbon is retracted with the frame, so that it does not obscure the character last printed, and in that it permits the use of simple mechanism for-continuously inking the ribbon. As shown, the ribbon G 0 is reinforced at its center by a circular reinforce G, of metal or-other suitable material, both the reinforce and the ribbon being formed with a central perforation which is adapted to spring over a catch b-fwhich is 5 shown as a split tube held by a suitable screw or pin 0 upon a forwardly-projecting arm d, formed at the upper end of the svvingggi'mt frame D. The catch 1) engages the walls of the central perforations of the ribbon and re- 10c inl'orce, as shown. The ribbon G is preferably rotated to a sufiicient extent at each printing movement of the type-wheel to presbnt a fresh surface to the next character to be printed. I have shown a simple device for accomplishing this result, which comprises a ratchet e, fixed to the catch 1) at the rear, a lever-arm f, pivoted upon the arm (1 of the frame D, and a spring-pawl g, carried by the arm fand adapted upon the upward movement of the latter to engage the teeth of the ratchet e and rotate the latter and the ribbon G to the desired extent, as best seen in Fig. 3. The movements of the lever-arm f may be given by any suiable means; but,

as shown, the top plate A of the type-writing machine is formed adjacent to the frame D with a rise'or cam h, along which the end of arm f may be weighted, as shown, so as toinsure its prompt descent when the swinging frame D is retracted, the ribbon G-being prevented from accidental-rotation in a backward direction during this movement by a spring-detent 'i.

In the construction shown the ribbon is retated duringthe forward swinging ofthe typewheel frame. It is obvious that the same result maybe accomplished by reversing the direction of the cam h, thus causing the ribbon to rotate during the backward movements of the type-wheel frame. .This latter construction will avoid any possibility of retation of the ribbon during contact of the type-wheel with the paper. 7

The ribbon is conveniently inked at each movementof the type-wheel frame D and preferably during its forward movement. To effect this, I provide an inking-pad I-I,

. which may be fixed to some part of the frame of the type-writing machine (as shown the scale-plate F) in the path of movement of the ribbon G during the forward swinging of the frame D. During this movement a portion of the ribbon is pressed against the inkingpad by a plate I, fixed to the arm (1 of the frame D, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This plate I may be a spring-plate, if desired. It is obvious, however, that the ribbon may be rotated and inked in other suitable ways. The inking-pad or other device II may be of any desired capacity and may be charged at such times as is found necessary.

In the construction shown it is possible that. the inking-pad II may be inadvertently so overcharged with ink that the capacity of the ribbon will be exceeded and blurring of the printing result. I hence prefer to provide means whereby such a possible excess may be taken up, and in the present construction this is accomplished by mounting a pad J upon the plate I between this plate and the ribbon. This pad should be so proportioned that it is capable of absorbing from the ribbon any undesirable exce'ss'of ink. As the ink 1s consumed in use that absorbed by the pad J may be then. utilized forinking the ribbon. Obviously the pad J might constitute the sole means for charging the ribbon; but I prefer to use this padin the manner and for the purposes just described.

Vhile I have described my invention as applied to a machine of the type-wheel class, yet I do not wish to be limited to this use, as the invention is of course applicable to other type-writing machines-such, for instance, as type-lever machines; neither do I wish to be limited to the precise features of construction described herein, as these are capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely 1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a type-carrier, of a ribbon of substantially disk form, and means adapted to be operated by said type-carrier for rotating said ribbon continuously in one direction.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a printing, mechanism, of a ribbon of substantially disk form having at its central portion a fixed reinforce so formed as to maintain the edges of said ribbon in snbstantially fiat condition, means for engaging said reinforce, to hold said ribbon, and means for rotating said ribbon.

3. In a type-Writing machine, the combina-v tion of a ribbon having an aperture therein, of a spring-clamp passing through said aperture and pressing outwardly against its edges, for holding said ribbon in position.

4. In a type-writing machine the combination of a ribbon having a reinforce fixed at its middle so formed as to maintain the edges of said ribbon in substantially flat condition, and an aperture therein, of a clamp passing through said aperture and engaging said reinforce for holding said ribbon in position, and means for rotating said clamp.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a rotative ribbon, and means for bolding said ribbon in position, of means for rotating said ribbon, comprising a ratchetwheelconnected to said holding means and a pawl for moving said wheel.

6. Ina type-writing machine, the combination of a rotative ribbon, and means for holding said ribbon in position, of means for rotatin g said ribbon, comprising a ratchet, a lever operating said ratchet and a cam for moving said lever.

7. In atype-writing machine, the combination of a ribbon having a reinforced central said device to said ribbon, andmeans for re:-

lieving said ribbon of any excess of ink.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a ribbon, and an ink-holding device, of means for transferring the ink from" said device to said ribbon, and a pad for absorbing the excess of ink from said ribbon.

11. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a printingmechanism, of an inking-pad, a ribbon through which said printing mechanism acts to make the impression adapted to make contact with said inkingpad, and said printing mechanism'and means intermittently pressing said ribbon against said pad.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen and printing mechanism, and aninking-pad, of a flexible rotating diskmaking contact with said inking-pad,

and rotating between said printing mechanism and the platen and independent means for rotating said ribbon. r x

13. ha type-writing machine, the combination with an inking-pad, a type-wheel and a swinging frame for said type-wheel, of .a

disk moved by said frame into contact with said inking-pad, and means for rotating said disk to present its inked surface to the typewheel.

14. In a'type-writing machine, the combination. of a type-wheel, a swinging frame carrying said wheel, a flexible disk rotated in front of said wheel, an inking-pad located in proximity to said wheel and a pressercarried by said frame for pressing said disk into con-- tact with said inking-pad.

' wheel.

o '15. In a type-writing machine, a type wheel, a swinging frame carrying said typewheel, a disk rotatively mounted on said 4.5

frame, an inking-pad in the path of .mbvement of said disk, and means for rotating said disk, whereby said disk is continuously inked from said pad, and .continnonsly pre-' sents' a freshly-inked surface .to the type 50 16. In a type-writing machine, a platen, is type-wheel, a swinging frame carrying said wheel,a flexible disk carried. by said'framebe-' tween said wheel and the platen, andswing ing with said wheel, an inking-pad located in' the pathof the swinging movement of said disk, a presser carried by the'frame, and adapted to press a portion of said disk against J said pad at each swinging movement of the frame, and means forrotating said disk to successively inka fresh surface. g

17.- In a type-writing mach-no, the combi-. nation of a top plate, a type-wheel, a ribbon located in front of said type-wheel, and means for moving the type-wheel to printing position,-of a scale-plate fixed to said top plate, and carrying an inking-pad in such position as to contact with said ribbon when the wheel is moved to printing position 70 18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a printing mechanism, and a ribhon-feed, of a top plate having a cam-projection formed integrally therewith, and actu- Y ating said ribbon-feed'npon the movement of "'7 5 said printing mechanism.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed" myname in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- RICHARD w, UHLIG Witnesses:

EUGENE V.- Mnvnns, FRED WHITE. 

